Cirrus VTC overtakes tug on aerotow and rolls inverted

A Cirrus VTC was substantially damaged on aerotow at Ottengruener Heide (Germany) and the pilot was seriously injured. He had about 250 h total and 16:25 h on type but had not flown this glider in nearly four years, with all 25 flights in the prior 24 months on two-seaters. A first launch was aborted after he accidentally activated the release. The second aerotow from RWY 10, on the CG hook, rolled normally. After liftoff the glider veered right, returned to centreline, made main-wheel contact with the asphalt, climbed above the tug, rolled right, and struck the grass strip inverted 25 m south of the runway.

1. Aerotow RWY 10 18:11 LT, CG hook: The pilot began an aerotow from RWY 10 of Sonderlandeplatz Ottengrüner Heide (650×13 m asphalt) in a Cirrus VTC, towed from the centre-of-gravity hook, with wind from 045° at about 5 kt.
2. ~4-yr gap on type, doublers-only: The pilot had not flown this glider since 21 June 2011 — nearly four years earlier. All flights in the prior 24 months had been on two-seaters.
3. 1st launch aborted on release slip: On the first launch attempt the pilot accidentally activated the release device and the launch was aborted.
4. Deviation right after liftoff: On the second attempt the ground roll was normal. Shortly after liftoff witnesses saw the glider veer to the right and then come back toward the centreline of the runway.
5. Wheel contact, overtakes tug: On the asphalt runway the glider's main wheel touched down again; witnesses saw it rise above the tug and begin rolling right around its axis while still on the rope.
6. Rolls right, inverted on grass: In inverted flight the right wingtip touched down first; the glider struck the grass nearly flat with severe structural damage, and the pilot was seriously injured.